American Indian Health-Integrating Traditional Native Healing Practices and Western Medicine

摘要

Significant disparities in health status and access to health care have historically existed for American Indians (also known as Native Americans) in the United States, compared to other demographic groups. Following an overview of these demographics and challenges, this article focuses on efforts to draw on Native American healing traditions to improve the health of members of these communities and discusses the trend in Western medicine toward more culturally sensitive and culturally appropriate health care.